AFTER a four-goal battering by Cymru Alliance opposition Porthmadog manager Paul Whelan received more bad news when Paul Roberts signed for Welshpool Town.

The striker – who lies 12th in the Welsh Premier League’s all-time top scorers list with 122 goals – left the Traeth for a third time since starting his career with Porthmadog before returning after stints with Wrexham and Bangor City.

The 31-year-old second time moved to Rhyl at the start of 2007 but failed to make an impact.

"It’s a big blow for us," said Whelan, who has also lost the services of the club’s other main striker and player of the season, Carl Owen, who has taken up a fresh challenge with high-flyers Rhyl.

"It’s a shame, Paul is a very good player."

Whelan was not overly critical of his players who played second fiddle to the Seasiders on Saturday.

"It was a useful pre-season run-out for us and we gave everyone a game.

"We played about 20 players which was probably too many to be honest as they didn’t have enough time to get into the game.

"But it was an opportunity for us to build towards the start of the season and to have a closer look at the players to see what we have in the squad and which areas we need to improve.

"When you’re in the Welsh Premier, teams want to beat you, even in pre-season friendlies."

The visitors saw plenty of the ball but created precious little in front of goal.

And when they lost possession they paid the price for some casual defending as the hosts hit three of their goals following lightning quick counter-attacks.

Porthmadog – who were scheduled to play another Cymru Alliance outfit, Holyhead Hotspur, last night – fell behind in the 25th minute, former player Jason Sadler with a cool finish after rounding keeper Richard Harvey.

Recent signing John Rowley missed a similar opportunity to strike back three minutes later, hitting the foot of the post after ghosting past keeper Sean Pearson and Port continued to press for an equaliser after the break.

With a strong wind at their backs, the Eifionydd men looked good until the final third but that is where the attacks floundered.

The home side were lethal in front of goal, though, Alun Roberts volleying in the second on 67 minutes while Sadler completed his hat- trick after getting on the end of crosses from the two flanks.